Birthright CLAIM Act of 2026

W. Gregory Steube

Republican · FL · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Ralph Norman (R-SC-5)Original· 2026-07-14
• Stephanie I. Bice (R-OK-5)Original· 2026-07-14
• Tim Burchett (R-TN-2)Original· 2026-07-14

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

2026-07-14

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would change which children born in the United States automatically become U.S. citizens, potentially restricting birthright citizenship for children whose parents are not citizens or are in the country illegally. Currently, anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen regardless of their parents' immigration status, but this bill would alter that rule. The change would affect millions of children born to immigrant families and could require them to go through additional steps to gain citizenship.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9662 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9662 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose limits on birthright citizenship for aliens and illegal migrants. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 14, 2026 Mr. Steube (for himself, Mrs. Bice, Mr. Norman, and Mr. Burchett) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose limits on birthright citizenship for aliens and illegal migrants. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Birthright Citizenship Limits for Aliens and Illegal Migrants Act of 2026'' or as the ``Birthright CLAIM Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. EXCEPTIONS TO CITIZENSHIP AT BIRTH. (a) In General.--Section 301(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401(a)) is amended by inserting after ``, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof'' the following: ``, except in the case of a person born to parents who, at the time of such birth, are both not citizens or nationals of the United States, and at least one of whom was unlawfully present in the United States, or present in a lawful status other than lawful permanent residency''. (b) Outside Geographical Limits.--Section 301(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401(g)) is amended, by striking ``for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years'' and inserting ``for a period or periods totaling not less than 10 years, at least 4 of which were after attaining the age of 14 years, and 3 of which were in the 5 year period immediately preceding the birth of such person''. SEC. 3. PATERNITY VERIFICATION. Chapter 1 of title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 309A. PATERNITY VERIFICATION. ``(a) In General.--If a person is born in the United States to a mother who is not lawfully present in the United States, and such person is alleged to be a citizen at birth under this chapter pursuant to section 301(a) by reason of the father being a United States national or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, such person shall not be considered a citizen of the United States at birth until biological paternity by the father is determined according to a DNA test in accordance with this section. ``(b) DNA Testing.--A DNA test for purposes of subsection (a) shall be conducted by a laboratory accredited by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to conduct verification of paternity by DNA. The cost of such testing shall be born by the parents or legal guardians of the person alleged to be a citizen at birth. ``(c) No Citizenship Pending Verification.--No agency or department of the Federal Government may issue a passport, certificate of citizenship, social security number, or other document premised on the United States citizenship of a person described in subsection (a) until verification of paternity through DNA testing has been established.''. <all>

• HR10178SHIELD Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-08-27
• HR642Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025
  Referred to Committee · 2026-08-26
• HR10148Safeguarding America’s Nonprofits Act
  Referred to Committee · 2026-08-24
• HR10117GATOR Act of 2026
  Referred to Committee · 2026-08-17